Polo Shirts News

Easy To Wear T-Shirts Fit Fashion Trends!

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:12:43 +0100

The last few fashion seasons have seen plenty of clothes that are complicated to say the least�.complicated and imaginative. There has been a mixing of patterns, a mixing of styles, and even a mixing of men�s and women�s clothing. Clothing has also had plenty of trim, zippers, and buttons.

Now there are signs that designers are simplifying fashions once again. In fact, many of the fashions include shifts, a-line skirts, plain dresses, and even t-shirts worn with linen jackets. Some designers, like Raf Simons with Jil Sander, have chosen to add some fraying to jacket edges and have added torn tops, but many of the fashions are just simply elegant but plain.

The recession may have something to do with the designers deciding to simplify their fashions also. The simpler the cut of clothing and the less trim there is on the outfit, the less it will cost to reproduce. The runway originals are expensive, of course, but when you look at the subdued styling, it�s easy to see how a shift or a dress can be copied for little cost.

This new trend actually started with Celine who created a resort wardrobe. It was so popular that others have decided to add simplicity to their lines also. Hannah MacGibbon with Chloe, Stella McCartney of her own brand, and many others are creating simple lines for their clothing.

In conjunction with this interest in simplicity is a revival of the Christian Restoin Equipment button-down shirt. This is a cool and classy shirt that really has never gone out of style. But now the Equipment shirts from the 1970s are being updated and issued again. Updates include the addition of a variety of soft colors. These shirts can be worn with shorts, jeans, dress slacks, sweaters, and sweatshirts. Like t-shirts, the long sleeved shirts are comfortable and ideal for most situations including work and social events.

Simple is back and many people are simply happy about that fact!

� Image by Laurentiu Raicu, www.sxc.hu/

Charity Shops Spark Anger Over Unfair Competition in Leeds

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:17:10 +0100

Charity shops are opening up by the dozens for a reason. First is the fact the recession has created a great need for affordable clothing. Second is the fact that reselling gently used clothing is a good environmental practice. But the problem that arises is due to the fact that charities get a tax break and many for-profit shop owners believe this gives the charities an unfair competitive advantage in many cases.

In Leek, the local shop owners are upset because the Salvation Army has opened not one or two stores. They have opened 13 stores. One or two charity stores would not have garnered much attention. But when the Salvation Army opened the 13th store there were many expressions of anger from trades people.

Charity stores sell everything from house wares to sweats.

Leek in the UK is not the only location where charities are popping up either. North Staffordshire has 72 charity run stores and the same tale is told from city to city. In the UK, over 600 million pounds of donated goods are sold each year. This equates to approximately 120 million pounds of profit used for charitable projects.

Trades people don�t have a problem with charity stores, but they do have a problem with them opening so many stores. The Federation of Small Businesses regional organizer, Karen Woolley, summed it up when she said, �Small businesses generally are not against charities and support the vital work they do. They therefore welcome the presence of charity shops on the high street., but their concern is that the bigger charities are using their charitable status to undercut businesses.�.

The charities like to point out that consumers obviously appreciate and support charity businesses, otherwise they would not donate so many millions of pounds of goods. Charity supporters also want people to understand that the profits enable a lot of good work to be done that would have to be paid for with public funds otherwise.

� Image by Elvis Santana, www.sxc.hu/

The JACK Quartet in T-Shirts

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:41:29 +0100

One fact about wearing white t-shirts is that the wearer will look at ease. T-shirts have to be considered one of the most comfortable pieces of clothing ever invented, and they suit so many purposes. When writers want to project a character that is laid back and easy to get along with, for example, the character�s clothes invariably include jeans and a t-shirt. The first thing people do when they run home from work is change in to comfortable clothes � t-shirts and jeans.

So it was no surprise when the JACK Quartet was described as being at ease no matter what the quartet members are wearing. Sometimes they play in t-shirts and jeans, and sometimes they are elegantly dressed in suits while playing their instruments. The JACK Quartet is a string instrument group of four young men who are equally comfortable playing in a coffee house as they are playing in a concert hall.

When the young string instrument players are dressed in tees playing in a coffee house, they please young modern listeners who might not get to hear their brand of music otherwise. But when playing in a concert hall, the dark suits and white shirts are donned and the young players are suddenly transformed. The JACK Quartet is made up of Ari Streisfeld, John Pickford Richards, Christopher Otto, and Kevin McFarland.

This very talented quartet offers audiences a thrilling concert of expressive and inspiring music. They can play works by Guillaume de Machaut, David Dzubay, Felipe Lara, and Alex Ness to name a few. When you watch them playing in their suits though, it�s not difficult to imagine them dressed differently � in t-shirts and jeans.

� Image by John Siebert, www.sxc.hu/

Used Tees and Other Clothing�Teaching Economics

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:21:35 +0100

There is more than one way to learn, and studying straight out of a book is not always the most effective. That is the theory behind the used clothing store being operated by students at Oshkosh West High School. The students are learning economics by selling used clothing in a store opened at the school in Wisconsin in the United States. The store is open to both students and the public looking for gently used clothing at affordable prices.

Students donate items ranging from prom dresses to blank t-shirts. It�s a great way for girls to find beautiful prom dresses at an affordable price with prom season starting soon. The store is named Vintage Vibes and is run by a marketing management class under the guidance of the class teacher, Nicole Peterson.

The recession has created a situation where many households are struggling to make ends meet. Money must first go to essentials like rent or mortgage payments and food, leaving very little for clothing. The community can find a variety of good quality clothing at Vintage Vibes and everything is under $10. The money earned through sales is then donated to various charities such as the Boys & Girls Club. When prom dress is sold, half of the money goes to a charity and half goes to the person donating the dress making it more like a consignment arrangement.

Vintage Vibes sells used sweatshirts, tees, sweaters, and pullovers among many other items. Students running the store learn about what it takes to operate a business and marketing promotions. But they also learn how to blend business with social responsibility, and that is a lesson well learned through a hands-on enterprise like Vintage Vibes.(p)� Image by Adrian Gtz, www.sxc.hu/

Pull Out Those T-Shirts...Mixed Media in Fashion is In!

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:31:48 +0100

In the fashion industry, the large designer houses have tended to rule the roost when it comes to setting trends. But the recession is leading to a number of changes in industries and fashion is no exception. It seems that Marni is becoming the leader in fashion styling for a scaled back industry through the use of mixed media.

Mixed media clothing refers to clothing that uses a variety of materials and trim to create new looks. Inexpensive materials can be incorporated and that suits the current money-conscious consumers just fine. Marni has used mixed media as its signature style for many years and now other larger fashion houses are following suit. Though you won�t find inexpensive t-shirts or polo shirts on the Milan runways, you will find fur or leather trim.

Designers using mixed media during the Milan fashion show include Gucci, Botegga Veneta, Jil Sander, Gianfranco Ferre, and Versace. It�s an impressive list of designers who are trying to offer stunning fashions at a reduced price. Using mixed media enables the clothing to be made using less of the expensive material by replacing sections with inexpensive materials. There is another advantage to this kind of styling too. The mixing of materials enables the outfit to be worn during the day or the evening.

Marni�s mixed media styling has enabled the company to survive 18 months of a difficult recession while some of the other designers, like Christian LaCroix, had to file bankruptcy. Marni currently has 90 stores worldwide and is planning on opening new boutiques in Singapore and China in 2010. Consumers who want to have some fun, but can�t afford even the scaled back designer clothing, can wear their tees with elegant skirts. That seems like mixed media�in a scaled back kind of way. It�s all in fun on the runway so why not have some fun at home?

Goth and Disney...Is it True?!

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:37:16 +0100

Did you know that Disney is going �Goth�? Do you even know what Goth is all about? Goth in the fashion world refers to a dark and somewhat morbid kind of clothing. Goth fashion includes plenty of black t-shirts and black pants or skirts worn with lots of heavy make-up. This doesn�t sound like something that would go with light-hearted Disney, but Disney is trying to reach a new market in the 18 to 34 year old age group.

What prompted this marketing twist was the release of the Tim Burton version of Alice In Wonderland. A children�s story originally, the movie has added a gothic flare and it�s proving to be very popular. Disney decided to capitalize on that popularity and now there are Disney Goth clothes for girls and women being sold,

To promote and sell the Goth products, Disney signed an agreement with the Goth retail store chain named Hot Topic, Inc. to offer the products in its 680 stores. Hot Topic, Inc sells lots of black clothing to females aged 12 to 22 years old. The Hot Topic company is going all out to promote the Alice in Wonder land clothes and jewelry. One store is being decorated as a miniature Wonderland. Other stores are using their window displays to attract shoppers.

In order to promote the sales of the clothes, Disney and Hot Topic hosted a big party at a Hollywood mall. The party included goth-pop bands and gave fans a chance to mingle with the stars of the movie. How long will this new fad last? Disney has no idea but hopes it will be for at least a couple of years. A lot depends on how well the public accepts the concept of a Goth Disney. But just to make sure the clothing lines appeal to all income groups and ages, Disney is also working with well-known designers to license high end products including designer tees to be sold in fashionable department stores.

� Image by Ceara Warren, www.sxc.hu/

T-Shirt and Leather?

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:19:41 +0100

If fashion is your interest, then you have probably enjoyed all the fashion weeks that were held around the world. These are major events where world known designers can strut their fashions for the next seasons. It�s always exciting to see what the designers have come up with because it�s never dull. Of course, there are often not many clothes seen on the runways that have any real connection with ordinary people who like to wear t-shirts and jeans, but who wants to look at polo shirts and tees during a fashion show?

Take the Prada show for example. Miuccia Prada offered up her idea of fashion recently. The collection was an interesting mix of fur paneled coats and leather jackets. The fashion reviewers did note that the clothes looked more voluptuous this time around, but that only means they still have little connection to ordinary folks.

Prada did present a number of throwback fashion designs. For example, many of the clothes had firm bodices and pleats. You don�t see pleats too often at high couture fashion shows. But there were other designers there who offered cool ultra-modern sophistication. Karl Lagerfeld included a fairly outdoorsy feel to his collection by using ribbed boots and fur pieces.

Donatella Versace, on the other hand, went with motorcycle rider inspired clothing. There were leather coats and metallic leather miniskirts.

Also presenting in the Prada show was Alberta Ferretti, Roberto Rimondi and many others. The models wore knit skirts, knit socks, wool coats with fur sleeves, and jersey and leather dresses. You didn�t see a lot of sweaters but there were plenty of coats.

For the ordinary people, looking at these fashions is a bit surreal. After all, who goes to work wearing a leather jacket and trousers?

T-shirt Origins

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:29:31 +0100

While it is unknown who invented the first t-shirt, it became a popular piece of clothing in the 1950�s when rebellious actors like Marlon Brando and James Dean wore them with leather jackets and jeans on and off the screen. The t-shirts made the men look "cool" in a tough sort of way. T-Shirts were created as a way to keep sweat from ruining shirts and causing skin rashes. As early as 1913, the shirts were being worn by sailors and soldiers in Europe. But it wasn�t until 1920, that the term �t-shirt� was added to Webster�s Dictionary.

The first company to mass product T-Shirts was Jockey International, Inc. in 1932. They did so because the University of Southern California Trojans Football team needed shirts that were cheap and would help absorb excess sweat to prevent chaffing that would occur when practicing and playing in games.

Nowadays, most people own at least one t-shirt. Many people own t-shirts that they buy to support sports teams, clubs, and organisations. T-Shirts have also become a way to show off one�s personality through slogans and pictures. T-shirts can be worn with almost any article of clothing, do not need to be ironed, and are an inexpensive clothing item to purchase and repurchase if the shirt becomes stained or torn.

The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC, USA, displays one of the first printed T-Shirts made in America. It is from the 1948 presidential campaign. It is a shirt supporting Thomas Dewey, New York�s governor at the time. The slogan reads, �Dew it with Dewey.�

There are many types of contests that giveaway t-shirts, as well as contests for the most t-shirts worn by a single person at one time. The record number of shirts is held by Aaron Waltke, who was able to put on t-shirts 160 shirts.

(c)Zac Nelson, www.sxc.hu/

Demand for T-Shirts with Catchy Slogans Rising

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:42:03 +0100

Wearing T-Shirts with catchy slogans is something many countries have seen for over 20 years. But there are whole new markets being created around the world and Doha is one of them. For example, in this capital city of Qatar younger people have started wearing t-shirts that have all kinds of messages on them ranging from humorous to cheeky.

For many of the people wearing these shirts, it�s a chance to portray a personality or send a message about a social or environmental belief. There�s nothing like a t-shirt with a wacky message to attract attention or get a great conversation going even with people you don�t know very well.

Wearing printed t-shirts that have warm colours with graphics, text or pictures can also make a people feel as if they have more confidence. They certainly will stand out in a crowd and get people�s attention. In Doha, it�s mostly teenagers and young adults who are often seen in the eye-catching t-shirts.

T-shirts with wild graphics, slogans and messages have their place. For the Doha professional, a t-shirt with a social message is not worn in the office of course. But when it�s time to go to a party, the colourful embroidered shirts or the shirt with a message is perfect party wear.

T-shirts with mysterious slogans are sometimes looked upon with suspicion. Shirts with numbers or symbols that don�t have any apparent meaning or are known to have no relationship to the wearer�s life can cause some nervousness.

One of the most interesting features of t-shirts is that you can buy ones with designer logos and show off great taste in fashionable clothing without spending a lot of money. It�s the best of both worlds. T-shirts with logos make great advertising forums for designer labels and corporations like Coca-cola and Mickey Mouse. And now celebrities are wearing custom t-shirts which have only made the t-shirt a modern day icon that can be embraced by anyone for any kind of social setting.

(c)Ivan Veliki, www.sxc.hu/

Hooded Sweatshirts Are Coats for the Poor

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:10:50 +0100

You may love to wear your hoodies, but are probably lucky enough to have a coat to wear when it�s cold outside. Not everyone is so lucky. The recession has hit many households hard with one or both parents now unemployed. Living on unemployment checks doesn�t leave much money for clothes.

Teachers at an Omaha, Nebraska school noticed that some children were showing up for school wearing sweatshirts as coats. In case you aren�t familiar with this section of the United States, Nebraska is on what are called the Great Plains where the winter wind has no obstacles. It gets very cold and a winter coat is a necessity. Unfortunately, many families are having trouble buying their children clothes even though they outgrow their clothes rapidly.

Another sign many families are enduring hardship is the fact that more students are now eligible for the free school lunch program. In the Omaha middle school, 75 percent of the student population is on the free or reduced lunch program. In response to the need for food and clothing, teachers at the school set up a food and clothing pantry that can be accessed by students and the student�s families. The pantry accepts food items and clothing like hats, mittens, sweats, coats and jeans. The special education teacher, Abbie White, said, �We do a nutrition unit and some of my students don�t have items to write down for what they had for dinner, because they didn�t have dinner that night.�

Many of the local food bank shelves are empty as the recession takes its toll. With 10% unemployment in the U.S., there is a growing number of families in financial trouble. The generosity of neighbors, family member, and also teachers, is helping many households survive these difficult times. Omaha has 63 elementary schools and 10 of them have food pantries.

� Image by (Name Hidden), www.sxc.hu/

Viral marketing opportunities for t-shirt businesses

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:45:00 +0100

Small businesses are increasingly taking advantage of viral marketing opportunities to sell t-shirts, sweatshirts and polo shirts, according to a report.

Podcast videos can be used by small businesses and up-and-coming designers to promote printed and plain t-shits on video sharing sites such as Youtube.com, t-shirt watch reports.

The sites offer small businesses an opportunity to produce low-budget commercials and to generate site traffic.

It is free to post the advertisements, with small businesses needing access to a video recorder to shoot the t-shirt ad.

In related news, new innovations in textiles are bringing electronics to apparel such as sweatshirts and coats.

The new technologies offer the design controls for electronic goods, such as MP3 players and iPods, built into clothes fabric, according to Inteletex.

For example, smart fabrics manufacturer Eleksen provides touch-sensitive material for wireless keyboards, while wearable textile electronics specialist Peratech provides iJackets with textile iPod controls.

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Sweatshirts Make Ideal UV Protector

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:38:49 +0100

When you need to be out in the sun for any length of time, sunscreen is often seen as the line of first defense against skin cancer. Though many countries with long winters, or summers that don�t have intense sunlight, make people believe they can expose their skin to the sun, the fact is the thinning of the ozone layer has increased ultraviolet ray exposure everywhere.

The use of sunscreen is always recommended when skin is exposed to the sun, but clothing such as long sleeved t-shirts and sweatshirts also provide important protection. But even with clothing, there is still the risk of exposure. Now there is innovative material named UPF 50+ that only allows 1/50th of the ultraviolet rays from the sun to pass through the material.

UPF 50+ was developed to reduce the chances of developing skin cancer while enabling people to continue their activities. Different fabrics are tested by various groups including the the Australian Government�s Radiation Protection & Nuclear Safety Authority (ARPANSA). Certification by ARPANSA is considered to be one of the best available. The fabric is designed so that only 2 percent of the ultraviolet rays can pass through the material.

In the USA skin cancer is a growing problem. Currently the statistics show that 1/5th of all Americans will eventually develop skin cancer. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, deaths doubled in the USA between 1950 and 2004. Wearing clothes with ultraviolet protection built-in only makes sense.

The fabric is used currently used in a variety of clothing including beachwear and cover-ups. It is also used in sports clothing for those activities requiring prolonged exposure to the sun. It is expected there will be increased use of this type of fabric as additional colours and fabric weights are manufactured.

T-Shirts for Haitians Needing Clothes

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:37:43 +0100

There have been many large and small fund raisers held for Haiti. The tragedy of Haiti has evoked an unprecedented global response. The fund raisers include everything from children selling lemonade and donating proceeds to a relief organization to a star-studded telethon raising millions of dollars. Schools, churches, businesses and even fraternities and sororities have been busy raising and collecting money. For example, MALIK Fraternity at Binghamton University is selling t-shirts to raise funds to donate to a relief agency.

There are people around the world, including students, who lost family members in the Haiti earthquake. In many cases they have still not been notified that the bodies of relatives have been found. The utter devastation has led to a number of mass graves being dug for the sake of hygiene. Those who have received word their family members in Haiti are safe can only express complete joy and amazement.

The fund raising efforts are ongoing around the world because the cost of rebuilding Haiti will be high. More than money is being contributed as charitable contributions too. A charitable organization in Staten Island, New York named �Where to Turn� is collecting tees to send to Haitians. The group hopes to collect more than 10,000 t-shirts. Many of the shirts being collected are unsold clothing from charity and sporting events. A spokesman for �Where to Turn�, Dennis McKeon said, �We saw pictures down there and we saw that because of the weather, people wear t-shirts. And they lost everything., all of their clothing and belongings. So we decided to come up with a plan to collect t-shirts. We reached out to the community and said donate all your gently-worn or new t-shirts and the response has been overwhelming.�

� Image by (Name Hidden), www.sxc.hu/

Buy Your T-Shirts From Reliable Online Sources

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:58:20 +0100

Unfortunately, when economic times get difficult there are more scams and thefts that take place. Criminals try to take advantage of people who are struggling financially and looking for ways to cut costs in order to make ends meet. As a result there is a proliferation of counterfeit goods. Some counterfeit sales are so successful they have a measurable impact on the profit margins of the companies retailing the goods being copied.

One of the industries which sees many fakes making it to the marketplace is fashion. Counterfeit fashion refers to clothing which copies original brands and even uses the brand name illegally. Counterfeit garments are made for every kind of clothing including dresses, beachwear, and t-shirts to name just a few.

Consumers buying brand name clothing online should make sure they access a reliable company. Counterfeiters like selling fake brand copies online because of the anonymity and low cost of setting up and doing business. The counterfeit business has grown so large that over $135 billion of counterfeit goods were sold online in 2008.

In response to the rise of counterfeit goods, including in the clothing industry, retailers are increasingly using web technology which tracks the use of brand and company names. Mr. Antony Gold is the Eversheds law firm retail sector director. He said it is up to the brand name companies and other retailers to monitor the internet, because consumers are not familiar with the counterfeiters� methods. He pointed out that the counterfeiting must be addressed at the point of distribution and sale and brand protection will include finding a legal means of putting a stop to the source of the counterfeits.

The message to businesses is to always be aware of the need to be alert to the possibility of counterfeit sales. The message to consumers is to buy your t-shirts, sweatshirts, uniforms and fashion from reliable online companies.

(c ) Image by svilen mushkatov at http://bigphoto1.blogspot as posted on www.sxc.hu/

Wearing T-Shirts While Attending the Corporate Meeting

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:31:04 +0100

In New York in the USA, there is a business that takes good health seriously. When you enter the conference room, the first thing you will notice is the fact there is plenty of workout equipment. The equipment that is not related to exercising is more traditional and includes a presentational computer and coffee pot. When attending a meeting in this room, employees don't sit at a table eating food full of fat and sugar. Instead they exercise while at the staff meeting.

This may seem like a radical concept, but modern living often doesn't leave much time for exercising so getting fit while meeting may be the perfect compromise. Staff attending meetings in this room wear comfortable plain t-shirts or maybe even sweats and work up a sweat which means calories are being burned. One of the ancillary benefits of this kind of meeting is the fact it will be short and to the point, because the speaker is exercising too. The exercise/conference room is rented by the hour and offers a way for businesses to send employees a message about the importance of staying fit. The woman who operates the business, Jennifer Baran, says, "We're trying to incorporate exercise into everyday life."

The idea of walking conference rooms is growing rapidly. You can find plenty of company conference rooms now that are designed to be both meeting and workout rooms. In companies like Salo in Minneapolis, the room is equipped so users can continue working while exercising during lunch hours or breaks. Craig Dexheimer of Solo said, "You can check e-mail, or you can log into the database. There are certain things that are a little trickier to do while walking and that would be handwriting, making notes, just because you're bouncing around a little bit. It takes about two to three days to get used to it. I compare it to almost having sea legs when you get off. But it's something your body gets used to."

So today, when you walk into some corporate conference rooms, you just might find staff in t-shirts burning calories while getting that project completed at the same time.>

(c ) Image by Joe Zlomek, www.sxc.hu./

Put On Your T-Shirts and Do Some Yoga

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:14:28 +0100

Yoga has been around for centuries but now it is being used by the travel industry to generate new business. At one time yoga was more like something only the wealthy with time on their hands enjoyed. Now you can find yoga sessions offered at even middle class mainstream hotels and resorts. The classes may take the form of live sessions held in a hotel conference room or they might be seen on the hotel on-demand channels.

The travel industry took note of the mostly women in tees and leotards and decided that offering special events centered around yoga programs would be a good idea. That quickly led to yoga becoming an exercise program for everyone. Incorporating yoga as a hotel amenity has pleased many business customers. Travelling can be stressful and yoga exercises help people unwind and even stay flexible after sitting in meetings all day. Some claim that this is just another fad that will fade, but yoga has been around for so many decades that the renewed interest is likely to persist. Customers on vacation appreciate the access to yoga classes too because it is the ideal program for relaxation.

Women wear all types of t-shirts including short sleeved, long sleeved, and sleeveless. The goal is to wear clothing that is comfortable and permits movement. There are plenty of hotels now offering yoga getaway weekends. Some hotels combine yoga with other activities also. There are now yoga classes offered in the pool, at mineral spas, and even as part of whale watching trips. Yes�on the Baja Peninsula you can sign up for a whale watching and kayak outing that begins with a yoga class. There is another reason why hotels appreciate this trend too. Yoga has very low overhead.

� Image by Ana Flavia, www.sxc.hu/

Hockey Players Train By Swimming In Sweatshirts!

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:19:28 +0100

Training for hockey competitions requires a lot of practice both on and off the ice. It�s true that hockey players don�t just practice on the ice because they need overall physical conditioning. That means players frequently train off the ice.

One team called the Fighting Sioux have a trainer who tries to keep the off-ice training interesting and challenging. The trainer created a little competition by dividing the team into three groups and then having them compete against each other. The first event required the team members do don sweatshirts and jump in a pool. Much to their amazement, they were told to swim 2 laps each while wearing sweatpants and sweatshirts. But here is the catch. Each team was given only one sweatshirt. At the end of the lap, the sweatshirt had to be taken off and handed to the next swimmer. That is not easy to do!

This creative use of sweatshirts just shows that it is one of the most useful garments people own. There were other competitions too but none of the others required wearing sweats. There were swimming relays, obstacle courses in the snow, sled challenges and much more. The three teams worked hard for 3 days and �Team Blue� won over �Team White� and Team Red�.

If you are an athletic trainer, you may have not considered how useful a sweatshirt can be when it comes to training. Odds are you have not asked team members to swim in sweat suits either. So it�s an idea you might want to try as long as the team members are physically able to handle the weight of the clothing while swimming. There�s no doubt that wet sweats would be quite heavy.

� Image by Henry Gretzinger, www.sxc.hu/

Foreign T-Shirt Shoppers Fill Malls Once a Year

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:55:47 +0100

The Irish don�t always stay home to shop. There is a little known annual shopper�s trek from Ireland to New Jersey and New York that takes place. It�s not generally known except to the retailers that profit from this annual expedition

In fact, it�s not just the Irish that fly thousands of miles to visit U.S. retailers. The retailers in these areas say their malls turn into mini United Nations because shoppers from all over Europe and Latin American visit the American malls looking for bargains. Recent visitors were from Israel, Ireland, Germany, Portugal, Brazil and even Croatia. In New Jersey, the Jersey Gardens mall reports that up to 30 percent if its business is due to foreign shoppers. They shop for everything from cheap t-shirts to watches. Many of the Irish shoppers come once a year while schools are closed and they hit the outlet malls looking for bargains up to 30 percent off. With the weak U.S. dollar has come opportunity for international shoppers.

Of course, these shoppers could get the same bargains online and especially when shopping for items like polo shirts, but once a year they have fun travelling to the U.S. to find bargains of all kinds including electronics and computers. Some visitors come looking for specific items like clothing or luggage, while others come to browse as many stores as possible.

Most Irish shoppers come the last two weeks of October. That is when the Irish schools close for the holiday. And all the international visitors try to pick malls close to airports and other sights so the trip is a vacation and not just a shopping foray. The U.S. mall owners and retailers admit that, if not for the international shoppers, some of them would not be in business due to the recession. This is a win-win situation for everyone on both sides of the ocean.

� Image by Mahjabeen Mankani, www.sxc.hu/

T-Shirts and Wool Shirts

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:44:30 +0100

Woolrich is celebrating the company�s 180th anniversary. The American clothing company has been designing and selling wool clothing for so long that the company itself is almost iconic. Much of the clothing is made of wool plaid and it�s the plaid that makes Woolrich clothing so distinctive.

The company is said to have been the one that put the first zipper in trousers for men. The clothing was popular in the lumber camps of early America. The company was actually started by an Englishman named John Rich who immigrated to the United States. Woolrich began in 1830 and the wool mill made clothing that catered to the outdoorsmen. Today the wool shirts are worn over cotton plain t-shirts providing extra insulation and comfortable warmth. Woolrich has been around so long that much of the company�s history tracks the history of the U.S.A. For example, The Railroad Vest was designed in the mid-1800s at a time the mighty rail lines were being laid coast to coast. The Railroad Vest has proven to be timeless and is still popular today.

Of course, technological advances in fabrics have made wool as comfortable to wear as cotton in many cases. The days of unbearably scratchy wool are gone. The new wool fibers are sometimes combined with cotton and synthetic fibers to create beautiful clothing with performance qualities.

Woolrich is celebrating its 180th anniversary by creating a special line of clothing that copies designs produced over the years. For example, the Stag Jacket and the Ranch Coat will be offered for sale. But only 180 pieces each will be made for each garment offered for sale in the special collection. Anyone interested in owning a Woolrich commemorative garment will need to buy their garment quickly.

� Image by Andi Muzietti, www.sxc.hu/

For the Love of Cotton

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:33:51 +0100

The entire world is in love with cotton. Manufacturers find it easy to process, dye, sew, and print. Consumers love the comfort only cotton can give. One of the most popular uses for this popular fiber is found in the garment industry. Clothing, especially t-shirts, are dependent upon soft, comfortable, 100 percent cotton fabric.

Every year new technology makes cotton easier to care for and easier to wear. Today�s cotton t-shirts and other cotton garments can be processed to be wrinkle free and low maintenance. Special processing can ensure that the item is fire retardant, water proof, and in some cases even dirt proof.

Fortunately, these new techniques have added to the value of cotton garments but have not caused drastic price increases. Be Fallon, a cotton industry insider, has been asked in several interviews to comment on the future of cotton in a depressed economy. She points to the high quality of cotton, its durability, and fashion as continuing to be the main selling point for cotton clothing.

�Everybody has favorite memories featuring cotton. You may remember a favorite dress you wore at your 5th birthday party, your cotton track uniform from college, or even you first boyfriend�s cotton tee that you still have boxed away. When the going gets tough, such as today�s financial situation, it is nice to have the comfort of these memories. This is why we see cotton clothing as cozy and comfortable � it makes us feel secure,� says Be Fallon.

Fallon goes on to point out the advantages of high quality cotton. It is extremely durable and holds up well to repeated washings. It is very fashionable and in fact many cotton tees gain cult status because of their logo or design.

The entire world loves cotton. In the coming months this fabric, and items such as cotton t-shirts and hoodies and polo shirts, are projected to be one of the few retail items to actually show an increase in sales, not a huge decline due to the economy.

EThical T-Shirts

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:22:11 +0100

Ethical fashion is clothing that is produced using workers who are paid a fair wage and work in decent conditions. Despite a global effort to end dangerous and inhumane working conditions and unfair wage scales, there are still factories in the world hiring young children and forcing workers to work long hours seven days a week for very little pay. When it comes right down to it, people will accept undesirable work conditions when that is their only choice. There are people and organizations working tirelessly to end these unsafe working conditions that have made some progress but still have a long way to go.

Because human rights groups have not been able to convince all factories to treat their workers in an ethical manner, they have approached the problem from a different direction. Consumers are being asked to shop in a discriminating manner and buy ethical fashion when possible. As consumer demand for Fairtrade clothing grows, factories will be encouraged through sheer economics to change their ways. There are groups that specialize in assigning the Fairtrade designation on products after assessing the manufacturing process.

Fairtrade clothing includes all types of clothing. You can find ethically produced t-shirts for example which are also often made with organically grown fibers. There are Fairtrade dresses, men�s suits, polo shirts, and much more for sale in stores and online. In fact, one of the best places to shop for organic and Fairtrade clothing is online. That is where you can find good prices, a large selection, and excellent quality clothing.

Next time you are shopping for hoodies, sweats, or sweaters, consider shopping for fashion that is ethically produced or made with organically grown textiles. It is a great way to make personal contribution to the environment and humanity.

�Image by Banjo Ari, www.sxc.hu/

Fair Trade Clothing and Harry Potter Star Emma Watson

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:21:09 +0100

Emma Watson is considered to be fashion savvy. She looks beautiful and dresses beautifully. But it seems she also has a serious side and has turned attention to the issues of fair trade and charities. She was quoted as saying, �Rather than give cash to charities you can help people in poorer countries by buying the clothes they make.� Emma Watson has decided to promote a clothing line that is fair-trade clothing.

The term fair-trade gets bandied about a lot, but it is growing more in relevance in relation to the fashion industry all the time. Fair trade clothing refers to clothing made under humane conditions where people are paid a fair wage. Emma Watson is a gorgeous young movie star and appears regularly on best dressed lists. She grew up on screen but is now 20 years old and is frequently seen wearing Burberry and Chanel.

Ethical clothing is made in all types of clothing including t-shirts and children�s wear. But Watson is doing more than just talking about ethical fashion. She has created a clothing line for People Tree which is an ethical clothing brand. What is really impressive is that she is working in fashion while also attending Brown University in the U.S., and finishing another Harry Potter movie said to be the last.

Ethical fashion is moving onto a new platform in the fashion world. People Tree is collaborating with famous designers like Richard Nicoll and Thakoon. Watson has put in plenty of hours to develop the clothing line she will promote for People Tree. The line of clothing is aimed at teenagers and Emma Watson is proving to have fashion savvy. To her credit she does not want the fashion line to be about her so she is not putting her name on the line.

� Image by Moi Cody, www.sxc.hu/

T-shirts Go Vintage

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:24:29 +0100

New t-shirts with vintage logos and designs are in demand by those who are looking for original shirts to wear during the day and even into the evening. Yes...t-shirst have become evening wear for many people. T-Shirts are like jeans � just when you think there's nothing new you can do, they keep reinventing themselves and looking fresh and new. It makes fashion a lot of fun. T-shirts won't quit, and they won't stop. People have the biggest appetite for them. "Today's Ts have gone way beyond the basic T. They've entered the evening arena, and the socially conscious arena � they've infiltrated every part of our wardrobe," said fashion market editor of InStyle, Toby Tucker.

Since authentic vintage T-Shirts are usually stained or worn with age, and many consumers don't want to buy them. They will, however, purchase new shirts that have similar designs to those that appeared on older T-Shirts. "I think the thing with our 'vintage' is that we wanted to find the real beauty of the old days when the logo wasn't so much about the hype but more about a cool design," said Chip Foster, co-owner of Chip and Pepper, a t-shirt design company.

Wearing T-Shirts in a new way by pairing them with skirts, wearing fitted t-shirts to the office under a jacket, and wearing higher quality shirts to evening social events has also helped increase the popularity of vintage looking T-Shirts.

Mix and Match Cotton

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:07:01 +0100

Summer is almost here but retailers are already stocking their shelves for fall of 2010. Buyers are reporting the trend is once again mixable cotton separates for the fall season. They can be easily incorporated into an already existing wardrobe.

Mix and match wear, such as cotton sweaters and t-shirts, will work well throughout the season. They can be layered and worn from the dog days of August and through the cold months of November. Different cotton weaves and blends give texture variety and weight variability to the garments.

One of the most popular silhouettes for fall is the full- length sleeve cotton sweater over the basic short sleeve tee. These pieces are being sold individually and can pair with each other or with clothing already in the customer�s wardrobe.

Color choices also lend themselves to mixing and matching. Earth tones and neutrals are the most popular with jewel tones incorporated to add pop. For example, one major department store is already showing mannequins in their windows wearing cool, misty gray cotton sweaters with matching vibrant purple or ruby cotton tees to catch your eye. These subdued colors fit a recessionary time perfectly.

Why the big focus on mix and match cotton wear for fall? Fashion industry experts say the trend is a carry-over from summer when mix and match pieces sold well in the depressed economy. �Our goal is to offer the customer something she can include in her existing wardrobe,� says Monte Miller of Sundrey�s Department Store. �Everyone goes into the season wanting to update their wardrobe. This may not be so easy for many women this year,� he continues. By offering high quality cotton options at affordable prices Miller is able to provide his customers with new selections for their wardrobes.

Miller�s comments bring up another point to consider in today�s economy. Consumers are looking for durable clothing. They want to be able to care for their clothing at home and trust it will not become washed out or frayed after a few washings. Cotton sweaters, cotton tees, and other cotton garments give customers an exceptional product and great fashion.

Obese Women and Fashion

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:40:53 +0100

Obesity is a problem that continues to get worse all the time and especially in developed nations. In women�s fashions it has led to clothes being cut larger even though the sizes have remained the same on the labels. New styles have had to be introduced also that accommodate more rotund figures. There is a lot of discussion over whether the fashion industry should be making changes to clothes that accommodate people who continue to get larger all the time. Sewing larger clothes but keeping the same size labels is considered to be a deceptive practice by some.

Obese women have been faced with fashions over the years that offer very little style. That is changing. Now people who are overweight or obese can find styles ranging from attractive sweaters to stylish dresses. And the models being used to sell the fashions are getting heavier and heavier. It used to be that plus sized clothes were worn by thin models on the catwalks. But today those plus sizes are being showcased by strutting models that are also plus sized.

In the USA, First Lady Michelle Obama has decided to address childhood obesity. Obama is a beautiful woman who appeals to the average woman. She has proven to be stylish and wears a variety of clothes that enhance your best figure features. But she is dedicated to helping Americans learn how to lose weight and eat healthy beginning in childhood.

The fashion world has been accommodating heavier women by changing designs and sizing methods. But rather than catering to the obese woman, many feel the fashion industry should participate in efforts to promote healthy lifestyles. This means women should not be too thin or too heavy.

� Image by Moi Cody, www.sxc.hu/

Inexpensive Clothing, Including Sweatshirts, On the Rise

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:42:16 +0100

Inexpensive clothing in every category from high fashion to sweatshirts is becoming more popular all the time. The proof that fast fashion is growing in popularity was found in Primark sales reports indicating Christmas shoppers spent more on inexpensive clothing. Revenues for Primark rose by 17 percent during its first fiscal year quarter which includes November and December.

Primark is owned by Associated British Foods. With the economy recovering very slowly from the recession and unemployment remaining high, it should be no surprise shoppers are looking for clothing bargains. What has surprised Primark though is the amount of the increase in sales indicating the company�s market share is increasing. Jason Bason is the finance director for Primark. He said, �The scale of the increase suggests we are gaining market share. Primark has been very much part of the growth in value clothing, we�ve seen a big increase in that sector, and the trend has been accelerated by the current economic conditions.� But the reality is that clothing purchases are going to be necessary even when trying to reduce expenses by making current clothing last for a longer period of time. For example, children continue to grow whether or not there is a recession.

Households have consistently shown a change in spending patterns and shopping habits that are designed to decrease expenses. Growth in lower priced clothing and other goods is expected to continue through 2010. Despite the recession, Primark has plans to expand and will be opening additional UK stores this year.

Buying clothes from discount retailers and online has enabled consumers to purchase needed clothing. Online sales of clothing like cheap t-shirts and jeans are consistently increasing.

� Image by Aiyaz Kidwai, www.sxc.hu/

Today�s Trend: Hoodies

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:51:35 +0100

The hottest trend in cotton clothing is the hoodie. Retailers are stocking up on hoodies for spring and fall after seeing huge sales during the holiday season. Hoodies are being worn by people of all ages too. Once the clothing for the young or sports people, they are now worn by children and senior citizens alike.

Originally designed for laborers in the early 1900�s, hoodies have caught on. A huge factor in their instant popularity seems to be Hollywood. Hoodies are popping up in movies and are being worn by actors and musicians.

Why are hoodies, or sweatshirts with hoods, so popular with everyone? Fashion trends usually focus on one age group or one gender. Hoodies have surprised retailers by becoming fashionable for men and women of all ages and social classes. They are durable, inexpensive, come in many different designs, and are easy to find. They wash well too.

The basic hoodie is made from 100 percent cotton, has large front pockets, (or a single front pocket), a hood, and a drawstring that is used to adjust the size and fit of the hood. Some styles have a zippered front and others are pull-overs.

The history of the hoodie is very interesting. While it was originally designed to be a durable garment for hard laborers the hoodie shot to fashion fame in the 1970�s when worn by Sylvester Stallone in the movie Rocky. Everyone is familiar with the scene of him sweaty after a hard workout and his hoodie on to keep his muscles warm.

The hoodie went through a period of time during the �90s when it was considered unfashionable by the general public because gangs and criminals had adopted it as a �uniform�. The hood could be placed over the head to hide facial features from security cameras.

Skateboarders, skiers, and Hollywood can be credited with the hoodies new mainstream marketability. Hoodies are a popular as college wear, athletic wear, and street wear. They are worn as protection against the cold and purely for fashion.

Hoodies are now being produced with blend of fibers, 80 percent cotton and 20 percent polyester. This is thought to increase the wear--ability, wash-ability, and durability of the garment.

Are Your T-Shirts �Green�?

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:11:00 +0100

Technology continues to find ways to help people become more eco-friendly citizens. Concepts such as ethical fashion and Fairtrade are getting more emphasis every day. With the depletion of natural resources around the world, the clothing and textile industry has joined the campaign to produce fashions that are environmentally friendly. Consumers are also beginning to demand more fashions that they know follow Fairtrade standars. But how do you know if your clothing choices are environmentally wise? Various companies such as Colour Connections, Ltd. are developing the means for consumers to determine if they are doing their part also.

There is a new-on line calculator that Colour Connections, Ltd. developed called the �Household Textile Environmental Impact Calculator�. The calculator is strictly for use by the consumers which is unusual in the marketplace, because the company has already introduced a textile eco-metrics calculator that textile manufacturers and clothing retailers can use.

The purpose of the calculator is to determine if the clothing in the home closet protects natural resources as much as possible. It takes into account factors such as water use, energy use, use of non-renewable resources and pollution produced. The calculator is quite easy to use online with its drop-down menus listing various articles of clothing such as jeans, skirts, trousers and so on. For example, you can count the number of sweatshirts you have in your wardrobe, choose the right category on the menu, and then enter the number. You also enter how many you threw away, washed, dried and ironed in a week.

Though the calculator is easy for consumers to use, it is actually performing a series of complicated calculations which produce the �Environmental Damage Units� or EDUs. The calculator scores each piece of your wardrobe.

Phil Patterson is the managing director of Colour Connections. He said, �You may be surprised at how much impact your personal or family clothing preferences have on the environment. Doing one fewer tumble drying cycle per week saves 170 EDU�s, which is enough to make the fabric for 50 pairs of underpants.�

So next time you decide to wash a load of polo shirts, try using the calculator to determine how you can lower your use of natural resources.

(c)Fleur Suijten, www.sxc.hu

Using Clipart for T-shirt Printing

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:43:16 +0100

For small apparel printing businesses, investing in clipart software is a great way to offer more choices to customers without having to charge them extra for the design. Many people who own printing businesses are not artists, so this software is a great way to offer hundreds of design possibilities. Clipart programmes are a collection of artwork that has been granted permission by the artists to be used on clothing and accessories. Included in the software are CD�s that contain images, and a stock book that includes all the images. This makes it easy for customers to see what they are ordering.

Customers who place an order for T-Shirts, jackets, uniforms, Polo Shirts, or other items, will feel better about choosing an image they can see instead of having to describe it. Clipart programmes can be used on PC or Mac platforms and are compatible on Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, and Adobe Photoshop. Once a design has been chosen, it can be uploaded from the CD onto the computer. For most programmes, looking up the image number in the stock book is necessary when trying to find it on the CD. Additional accents such as bold lettering, colours, fonts, and lines can be added to T-Shirts and other items.

While there are drawbacks to using clipart such as editing lines that don�t connect, over designing, and being able to promise originality on Polo Shirts and other items, many businesses use this technology and say their customers have been pleased with the results. While it is important to create what the customer wants, many times it is easy to go overboard. Business owners should experiment with an image until they get it right, but many times, adding too many accents can ruin a really good design.

(c)Tomas M, www.sxc.hu

T-Shirts or Sequinned Gowns?

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:32:57 +0100

The unofficial new fashion year has officially started for 2010 as the celebrities parade in their fashion choices. Last year Jennifer Lopez showed up in a gold Marchesa. Drew Barrymore was dressed more sedately in a blue chiffon dress. It�s a show that has a long line of strutting stars who go all out to dress for the ceremony. At the glamorous Golden Globe awards, anything goes and that is part of the fun. Viewers often watch the show just to see what the stars are wearing as much as to see who actually wins an award.

When you watch this annual show, you can expect to see tux suits matched with white t-shirts and traditional low cleavage sequined gowns. There might be comfortable and skintight body suits or showgirl style outfits. Men may be dressed sedately or decide to use one of the man-bags called Flanimals created by host Ricky Gervais.

If you have the impression that the Golden Globes is really a mishmash of fashion designs ranging from crystal laden gowns to simple polo shirts, you would be absolutely right. But that is exactly why a possibly boring awards show becomes a fascinating glimpse into a world of fashion. You can watch the show and imagine what you would choose if money was no object. Would you be a style setter or a safe dresser? Would you go for adventure or sedate comfort?

In an interesting twist of fate, the host of this year�s Golden Globes award, Ricky Gervais, is known for roaming New York streets wearing baggy t-shirts and not-very-attractive gym shorts. So what will he wear to emcee the show? Anything is possible�and that�s the whole idea.

� Image by H Assaf, www.sxc.hu/